Cervical

Cervical Disc Herniation

In between the vertebrae of the spine are round, flat discs that function as cushions. These discs absorb shock as well as the stress of body weight and they ensure the spine maintains its flexibility. Should they deteriorate or if the stress becomes too much, they may begin to swell or they may even rupture, causing the gel inside of the disc to leak potentially irritating spinal nerves. These herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spine but tend to occur most commonly in the neck and lower back. Being unable to lift the foot up is a symptom as well as pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck, shoulders, or limbs.

Testimonials

“After a 5 years of neck pain and having exhausted all medical treatment known to me, I decided to see Dr Cantor for possible surgical intervention for my constant neck pain.

Immediately after surgery, the pain I had experienced for 5 years was gone. The surgical pain was minimal immediately, and relief from the surgical pain was controlled with Tylenol most of the time. In the 5 month since surgery I have gone from a very sedentary lifestyle due to the neck pain to a very active life style with no pain. And I thank Dr Cantor for giving me back my pain free life again.”

“Dr. Cantor is an attribute to the medical community. I had surgery with him and went from not being able to take care of my children and barely walk to having a normal life again.”

“Dr. Cantor not only saved my life but the quality of my life. He is the best!”

“I am pain free because of Dr. Cantor.”

Cervical Myelopathy

Cervical myelopathy is a condition arising from the narrowing of the spinal cord in the neck. Its symptoms can be subtle during its early manifestation, but it is most noticeable in the hands. Additional symptoms may include deterioration of fine motor skills, numbness, and loss of balance. As the condition worsens, it may also lead to arm and leg weakness and possible changes in bowel or bladder habits. Surgical intervention may help with preventing the progression of symptoms.

Testimonials

“What a journey since I woke up early one morning with a feeling of ice water dripping on my left shoulder, neck and face. The left side of my mouth and face were numb. I thought I was having a stroke.

Dr. Cantor and his staff are very caring people so when I called, they must have heard the nervousness and worry in my voice, because Dr. Cantor got on the phone right away and assured me he knew what the problem was and wanted me in the office as soon as I could get there. By the way, I live in North Carolina, and by the time I got my tickets to fly down the next morning his staff had made an appointment for me to get a CT. The following day I was in Dr. Cantor’s office with scans in hand.
Dr. Cantor is a passionate surgeon; passionate about his own method of performing this delicate surgery and warm to his patients.
The scans showed that I had a narrowing of the cervical spinal cord canal plus bone spurs were badly scraping and pinching nerves on the left side. “Yep, let’s get this fixed!” Dr. Cantor said. I appreciate how Dr. Cantor, his PA, and other staff members stood together with me to evaluate the scans and share their thoughts and experiences.
I no longer feel that icy, numb feeling on my face, neck and shoulder. All of that subsided quickly after my cervical laminoplasty surgery.

I was eager to get back to my hobbies of vintage watch repair and silver-smithing as well as working on vintage motorcycles and a ’65 Mustang (I was worried if I could bear long periods of working over a bench.) With a strong desire, slowly but surely I’m back now 100%, in just eight months, and doing the things I love.

Many thanks to Dr. Cantor and all my friends at the Cantor Spine Institute for my care and recovery.”

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is another form of cervical myelopathy referring to impaired spinal cord function caused by degenerative changes such as disc herniation or bone spurs, both of which may compress the spinal nerve. It is generally caused by wear and tear as a person ages, usually appearing in older patients, though its onset will vary based on the narrowing of the spinal canal.

Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is a clinical description referring to pain or neurological symptoms caused by any condition causing irritation to a nerve root in the neck (cervical spine). If a nerve root is damaged it may result in a loss of sensation in the hands or arms, weakened or numb fingers, or pain in the arms, neck, chest, upper back, and shoulder pain. A loss of coordination in the hands may also be an indicator of cervical radiculopathy. Symptoms tend to be intermittent at first, but there is a risk of them developing gradually or even suddenly. This condition is often caused by other cervical conditions such as cervical herniated discs and cervical spinal stenosis.

Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a condition in which a flexible structure called the posterior longitudinal ligament increases in thickness and therefore becomes less flexible. This ligament assists with maintaining the integrity of the spinal column. If it calcifies it may begin to develop a bone-like quality, increasing in size and potentially causing spinal cord injury through compression. OPLL has a greater tendency of affecting men, individuals of Japanese and Korean descent, and those suffering from diabetes. Symptoms may be mild at first such as tingling, mild pain, or numbness in the hands. Most patients display no symptoms at all.

Cervical Stenosis

When the spinal canal in the neck begins to narrow, it may lead to a condition called cervical spinal stenosis. This narrowing of the spinal canal may squeeze and compress the nerve roots or even the spinal cord itself, causing stiffness, numbness, or weakness in the arms, legs, and the neck. It may also affect bowel and bladder habits in extreme cases. The condition is often caused by a lifetime of wear and tear and the normal aging process as the spinal canal changes in size and shape. Hence, it is more common in older patients. Symptoms may also include hand clumsiness, a loss balance, or even paraplegia in severe cases.

Testimonials

CERVICAL SPINAL STENOSIS

For many years I was experiencing neck pain and frequent, severe headaches. As a healthcare professional, I did extensive research in addition to obtaining many physicians’ opinions regarding my cervical stenosis. Dr. Cantor is

the only surgeon who offered a state-of-the-art motion-sparing solution that did not involve a “fusion,” metal screws, plates or rods.

I was suffering from severe cervical stenosis. I’m a PE teacher, soccer ref and avid basketball player. I’d been suffering from pain for the past 15 years, but just played through it like anyone else.

David P.

SPINAL STENOSIS

There I was, lying facedown on my bed, unable to move. The pain in my back and neck had reached an all-time high. The immobility was a new development. The pain, well, I’d been dealing with that for some time—longer than I should have.

Robert C.

CERVICAL & LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS

“Dear Dr. Cantor, Basketball has its dream team: Jordan, Bird and Magic. My dream team is led by you and your associates. Through my two surgeries, your team, pre-op and post-op, did not miss the dotting of an “i” or the crossing of a “t.”

Like a well-oiled machine, every aspect of my treatment was done with great precision. I can’t thank you and your team enough. Words can’t express my gratitude for a job so well done.”

Words cannot express how much I appreciate you giving me back my life and to be able to play with my granddaughter again while being free from pain.

From the moment that I walked into your office to even now after my surgery, the team you have is just amazing. When we decided to move forward with correcting my C6/C7 I never felt alone or scared even the day of surgery. You really have no idea how much it means to have that feeling that your life is safe and that you trust your surgeon and team…you gave that to me.
If I ever meet anyone that needs to have surgery, you are the one that I would recommend. I wouldn’t go to anyone else.

“What a journey since I woke up early one morning with a feeling of ice water dripping on my left shoulder, neck and face. The left side of my mouth and face were numb. I thought I was having a stroke.

Dr. Cantor and his staff are very caring people so when I called, they must have heard the nervousness and worry in my voice, because Dr. Cantor got on the phone right away and assured me he knew what the problem was and wanted me in the office as soon as I could get there. By the way, I live in North Carolina, and by the time I got my tickets to fly down the next morning his staff had made an appointment for me to get a CT. The following day I was in Dr. Cantor’s office with scans in hand.
Dr. Cantor is a passionate surgeon; passionate about his own method of performing this delicate surgery and warm to his patients.
The scans showed that I had a narrowing of the cervical spinal cord canal plus bone spurs were badly scraping and pinching nerves on the left side. “Yep, let’s get this fixed!” Dr. Cantor said. I appreciate how Dr. Cantor, his PA, and other staff members stood together with me to evaluate the scans and share their thoughts and experiences.
I no longer feel that icy, numb feeling on my face, neck and shoulder. All of that subsided quickly after my cervical laminoplasty surgery.

I was eager to get back to my hobbies of vintage watch repair and silver-smithing as well as working on vintage motorcycles and a ’65 Mustang (I was worried if I could bear long periods of working over a bench.) With a strong desire, slowly but surely I’m back now 100%, in just eight months, and doing the things I love.

Many thanks to Dr. Cantor and all my friends at the Cantor Spine Institute for my care and recovery.”